Robert “Chickenhawk” Mason on Dennis Surrendi
I’m sure you remember the story of Dennis Surrendi, the fellow who tried to pass himself off as a poor Canadian teen who was Shanghaied into the Vietnam War by the evil CIA and made to fly helicopters. You know, because he was a 19-year-old neurosurgeon who had already walked away from a pro-hockey career and so the CIA needed him to fly helicopters against the Communists.
Of course, Surredi had lifted almost word-for-word his Vietnam experiences in his book “Set Me Free” from our new friend, Robert Mason, the award-winning, bestselling author of the book “Chickenhawk“. Last week, Surrendi settled out of court with Mason and his wife, Patience by publishing an announcement in his local rag that he had been lying.
Before the announcement in the newspaper, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, probably Dudley Dooright, himself, had intended to prosecute Surrendi, but since the Mason’s settled for the notice, the police have lost interest. The Nanton News has been forced to backpedal on their earlier stories about Surrendi;
He deceived a lot of people, including Nanton News staff, and we’re angry and sickened that we printed such horrendous lies. To the Vietnam veterans, and to their family and friends, we sincerely apologize for spreading this deceit.
Veterans in this country and our great allies, including our neighbours across our border, have earned our complete and utter respect for the causes that they have fought for so valiantly. And they’ve certainly earned the right to retell their stories. It’s part of our shared history, and we commend those veterans who have taken the time and bared reliving those experiences so that we might have even a small glimpse into the horrors they faced.
From the Calgary Sun;
Const. John Rotheisler, commander of the Nanton RCMP detachment, says the Crown has decided against charging Surrendi under section 419 of the Criminal Code, which deals with unlawful use of military uniforms or certificates.
Instead, the RCMP is now following up multiple complaints of copyright infringement, both in Canada and from the U.S., where Surrendi’s book was also published.
“We’re seeking guidance from our special prosecution unit,” said Rotheisler.
What that might mean in terms of charges isn’t yet clear.
Mr. Mason took to Canadian airwaves yesterday to tell the unbelievable story about this valor thief of monumental proportions.
I’m pretty sure that Patience is a little more angry about the whole thing than Robert, though. She’s the one who contacted us and I’m honored that they enlisted us in their cross-border war against this creep to restore a measure of Robert’s honor. As Robert said in the interview, Surrendi even stole Patience’ letters to Robert and made those letter to sound as if she had sent them to him. Hell hath no fury….
Category: Phony soldiers
Dennis “The Shitbag” Surrendi could always do a biography on the False Commander Phil Monkress of All-Points Logistics.
It would appear that he is “uniquely” qualified.
And still no apology, just an admission that he lied. Asshat of the first order. I hope that they get him for the copyright issues.
He issued half-assed apology, thus they’re not going to charge him, what a bunch of limp-wristed candyassed snot-spines.
I wonder if there’s any “lawers” that will represent him in the copyright case.
I think Patience should take a rolling pin to this asswipe.
Mr. Mason was a lot nicer in that interview than I would have been. You are a class act Mr. Mason, but we knew that already. Best regards to you and Mrs. Mason. I am enjoying re-reading Chickenhawk right now. Huge fan. – GDC
Well justice is sometimes slow coming, but nice to see Karma pushes it along from time to time.
bad luck for Dennis Surrendi. I got away with published first person accounts of the the Beslan Seige in my book. LTC Dave Grossman is the master, though, people STILL believe that he was actually nominated for a Pulitzer Prize as falsely claimed broadly and, thanks to him, people still believe that I was at Beslan within months of the seige. I was “there” watching the seige end on TV like everyone else with the exception of being in my Superman underoos.
https://thetruthaboutsocnetlies.wordpress.com/2014/08/23/giduck-pal-ltc-dave-grossman-falsely-claims-hes-a-pulitzer-prize-nominee/
When we get away with it and receive fame/money/infallibility as a result, everyone wants our real fake fame too.
sincerely
John “Faker 6” Giduck
The Nanton paper closed comments after the only comments tore the editor up for printing Surrendi’s tripe. Surrendi’s nephew, in the Calgary Sun’s comments, stated that he’s been rocking the lie for a long time and that Surrendi’s Daughter-in-law was trying to ride his coattails in a recent election – and lost!
Dennis “chickenshit” Surrendi – you’re Internet famous now!
Well, I’ll hand it to the paper for taking it flush on the chin. Many of our own rags, when informed that they printed fiction as fact, do their best clam impressions. As for the copyright infringement, it was blatant and obvious once revealed and I believe it’s a criminal offense (‘scuse me, that’s offence in Canadia) and, while I don’t foresee Serrendi the Goose Gazer goaing to jail (‘scuse me again, that’s gaol) his world is not a happy color (Dammit, I mean colour.)
Yeah, the Masons are classy. No question about that.
yes, they did. Life is going to suck for him now. That is a very, very small town.
Agreed. We see far too few public retractions printed by US “newspapers” after they get duped.
*thunderous applause*
Surrendi’s call sign has been changed from the purloined “Chickenhawk” to one that is more apropos.
“Chickenshit.”
Funny.
Are both books printed, registered, sold on ebook or print in the US? Can he not be prosecuted for copy write violations in the US as well?
That bit about Surrendi stealing Patience’ letters is downright creepy. I mean slimy-type creepy. It’s been proven more times than not, that SV is only the tip of the criminal iceberg.
I wonder what we’ll hear about him next, I’m sure that Stolen Valor is just the tip of a pyramid of his shitbaggery.
I first read Chickenhawk when as a teenager in the 90s. I had to put in a reservation at my local library; it took about three months to come through (at that time, books with reserves on them could only be borrowed for two weeks and couldn’t be renewed). It’s been stuck in my head ever since, and I bought my own copy a few years ago. I always wondered what happened to Mr Mason after the ending of the book and it’s great to hear that he seems to be doing well now.